US20090274827A1 - Color formulation selection process with visual display - Google Patents
Color formulation selection process with visual display Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090274827A1 US20090274827A1 US12/262,723 US26272308A US2009274827A1 US 20090274827 A1 US20090274827 A1 US 20090274827A1 US 26272308 A US26272308 A US 26272308A US 2009274827 A1 US2009274827 A1 US 2009274827A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- formulation
- color
- refinish
- match
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 129
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 127
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title description 4
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 title description 3
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 metallic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C21/00—Accessories or implements for use in connection with applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, not provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C19/00
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B43/00—Operations specially adapted for layered products and not otherwise provided for, e.g. repairing; Apparatus therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
- G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
- G01J3/463—Colour matching
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F7/00—Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
- G06F7/06—Arrangements for sorting, selecting, merging, or comparing data on individual record carriers
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method and system for determining a color formulation for refinishing a vehicle.
- the vehicle paint When a vehicle is designed, the vehicle paint has an original formulation that is specified for production, referred to as the prime formulation for that paint.
- the color of paint applied to vehicles in a manufacturing setting tends to vary. The variability can be observed both within a single production facility when the components of the paint composition change slightly between production runs. This is typically seen as a drift in paint color of vehicles manufactured at a particular production facility.
- even more significant differences in the paint color can be observed between vehicles manufactured at different production facilities of the same vehicle manufacturer. Each of the production facilities may receive a different lot for the paint components, including the pigments and other colorants that are added to the paint, thereby imparting differences in the paint color between production facilities.
- Vehicles typically include a series of identification tags, including a color code that refers to the original paint formulation. Due to the paint color variation, each color code generally corresponds to a plurality of variant formulations that are associated with the prime formulation. Repair paint personnel must select the paint formulation from the plurality of formulations associated with a single color code that best matches the paint of the vehicle undergoing repair.
- the repair work includes body work on painted components (e.g., panels or bumpers) and often also involves repair of the vehicle's mechanical systems and electrical systems.
- the final step in a repair process is refinishing the exterior damaged portion of the vehicle.
- the paint repair involves obtaining a paint formulation that closely matches the color and color effect of the original vehicle paint. The process of determining the matching paint formulation does not occur until near the time that the vehicle is ready for refinishing, i.e., after the body work (and any mechanical/electrical systems work) is completed. By that time, the vehicle may already have been at the repair facility for several days or longer.
- the present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising: (1) prior to beginning repair work on a vehicle: (a) estimating the cost of performing repairs to a damaged vehicle; and (b) conducting a computer-based search to identify a refinish paint formulation that best matches the vehicle original finish; and (2) performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the best matched refinish paint formulation identified in step (1).
- the present invention also includes a computer-implemented method of identifying a refinish repair formulation comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer and searching for a refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; and identifying the best match refinish formulation and a match rating for the identified formulation.
- the present invention further includes a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer and searching for a refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; identifying the best match refinish formulation and a match rating for the identified formulation; and performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the identified formulation, wherein the vehicle is refinished according to the match rating for identified formulation.
- the present invention further includes a computer-implemented method of identifying a refinish repair formulation comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer; searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation; selecting the best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating; and displaying a color chip of the selected formulation.
- a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer; searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation; selecting a best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating; displaying a color chip of the selected formulation; and performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the selected formulation, wherein the vehicle is refinished according to the match rating for the selected formulation.
- FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention
- FIGS. 2A-2C are screen shots presented to the user of the present invention conducting a chromatic search.
- FIGS. 3A-3E are screen shots presented to the user of the present invention conducting a variant search.
- the present invention is described in relation to a method for selecting a color formulation during refinishing of a vehicle undergoing auto body repair.
- a vehicle arrives at an auto body repair shop
- an estimate of the cost and timing for repairing the vehicle is prepared at step 10 .
- the cost estimate is prepared in order to provide an understanding of the scope of the work to be completed so that the vehicle owner can decide what work should be completed or so that an insurance company may be informed as to the cost that will be incurred during the repair process, or a combination of both.
- a highly accurate estimate results in a greater accuracy of the final cost to the vehicle owner and/or insurance company, both of which lead to satisfaction with the performance of the repair conducted by the auto body repair facility.
- a refinish paint formulation for refinishing the damaged body work of the vehicle undergoing repair is selected. It has been found that by performing the refinish formulation selection process well in advance of the actual physical repair of the vehicle, bottlenecks associated with color matching that normally are presented at the end of the repair process can be avoided or at least worked out during the time that the body work and any mechanical/electrical systems work is conducted. By identifying an appropriate refinish paint formulation early in the auto body repair process, when the vehicle is ready for refinishing, the refinish paint formulation may be ready for mixing and application. Moreover, the search for a best match refinish paint formulation may be conducted using some or all of the computer systems employed to generate the repair estimate.
- color data from a surface of an undamaged portion of a vehicle is obtained in step 12 .
- This may be performed using a spectrophotometer that provides a measurement of the color characteristics of a painted surface in the form of reflectance data corresponding to the amount of light reflected from the painted surface at certain viewing angles and/or illumination angles.
- the viewing angles of color data measurement may all be in a single plane (in-plane) or they may be out-of-plane with respect to each other.
- Suitable spectrophotometers are manufactured by X-Rite America, Incorporated of Grand Rapids, Mich., such as the X-Rite MA48 for viewing at in-plane angles and the X-Rite MA98 for viewing at out-of-plane angles.
- light illuminating the painted surface may be directed at the painted surface at one angle or more than one angle, with the multiple angles of illumination being in-plane or out-of-plane.
- the present invention includes obtaining color data from the surface of the undamaged portion of a vehicle in any combination of such illumination angles and measurement angles.
- One common system for analyzing color of an object is to define the reflectance data in a color space, such as the CIE 1976 (L*c*h*) color space that is based on tristimulas values of color using the three primary colors (red, green, blue).
- the L*c*h* values represent brightness chroma and hue, respectively.
- the L*c*h* color data may be obtained from an undamaged portion of the vehicle at a plurality of viewing angles, such as five viewing angles in order to obtain an accurate color reading for the vehicle to be refinished.
- Such viewing angles may include the aspecular angles of 15°, 25°, 45°, 75° and 105° (or 110°). These aspecular angles are not meant to be limiting as different angles and/or other quantities of viewing angles may be employed.
- the measured color data obtained via the spectrophotometer from the undamaged portion of the vehicle are transferred to a computer.
- Suitable systems for transferring the measured color data from a spectrophotometer to a computer include wireless communication, memory sticks or the like or data transfer to a remote server via the Internet. In one embodiment, the transfer may be conducted by docking the spectrophotometer into a receiver that is hardwired to a computer.
- computer is meant any microprocessor based device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, computer network, a remote server or a handheld device, such as a cellular device or personal data assistant (PDA).
- PDA personal data assistant
- step 14 the manufacturer's name and the color code for the paint applied to the vehicle are obtained and entered into the computer.
- the color code is typically provided on the vehicle, such as on the door jam or the like, in an alphanumeric format.
- the color code is input via an input device such as a keyboard or a wireless transfer device.
- the computer includes software for conducting a match of the color data and color code (or of the color data alone) to refinish paint formulations maintained in a database of the computer, as described below.
- the database includes prime and variant formulations of refinish paint formulations that are associated with vehicle manufacturer color codes and color data.
- the database may include custom formulations associated with color data. Custom formulations are occasionally developed by refinish paint professionals when none of the pre-existing prime and variant formulations provide a suitable match with the paint of a vehicle undergoing repair.
- a refinish paint professional obtains color data for the custom formulations, such as by using a spectrophotometer to measure reflectance data from a surface painted with the custom formulations.
- the database containing custom formulations associated with the color data of the vehicle paint may be the same as or different from the above-described database of prime and variant formulations and also may be stored in a variety of computer systems, such as on a local computer in the auto body repair shop or may be accessible via remote server or the like as described above.
- refinish paint formulations in the database include manufacturer (e.g. Honda), model (e.g. Accord), territory (e.g. U.S. or Europe) year of manufacture, vehicle part (e.g. fender, door panel), vehicle identification number (VIN), specific effect pigment (e.g. green pearl, green XirallicTM or PaliocromTM orange), particle size (e.g. very fine, fine or medium), color family (e.g. red, green, beige), flop index range, finish effect (e.g. solid, metallic, mica or combinations thereof).
- manufacturer e.g. Nissan
- model e.g. Accord
- territory e.g. U.S. or Europe
- vehicle part e.g. fender, door panel
- vehicle identification number VIN
- specific effect pigment e.g. green pearl, green XirallicTM or PaliocromTM orange
- particle size e.g. very fine, fine or medium
- color family e.g. red, green, beige
- a variant search is conducted for the best match for the paint formulation based on both the color data obtained in step 12 and the color code obtained in step 14 .
- the variant search may be further refined by including one or more search criteria such as model, territory, vehicle part, year of manufacture, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size.
- search criteria such as model, territory, vehicle part, year of manufacture, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size.
- the software in the computer limits the search to the prime formulation and variants thereof that are specifically associated with that color code. This increases the probability of special effect pigments (such as metallic and pearlescent effect pigments) of the identified paint formulation matching the size and type of the special effect pigments of the original vehicle paint.
- “best match” or related phrases it is meant that the identified refinish paint formulation, when applied to the vehicle, appears the same as (or cannot be discerned with the eye as differing from) the adjacent undamaged portion of the vehicle.
- step 14 may be omitted (as per route 14 a ) and a chromatic search is conducted based solely on the color data obtained from the vehicle.
- the software searches the entire database of color data without specific regard to the special effect pigments.
- the chromatic search may be further refined by including one or more search criteria such as manufacturer, model, territory, year of manufacture, color family, flop index range, finish effect vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size.
- search criteria such as manufacturer, model, territory, year of manufacture, color family, flop index range, finish effect vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size.
- special effect pigments such as metallic and pearlescent effect pigments
- the output of the search on the computer is the most likely prime or variant formulation or a plurality of formulations that best match the color data for the color code (a variant search via step 14 ) or best match the color data regardless of color code (a chromatic search via route 14 a ).
- References to a matched refinish paint formulation or identified refinish paint formulation should be understood to include one or more of such formulations unless indicated to the contrary.
- the computer software contains algorithms for (1) searching one or more databases of refinish paint formulations associated with color data or color data with color codes in step 16 and (2) identifying the best matched refinish paint formulation in step 18 . The best match is presented to the user (e.g. repair personnel) using a numeric value termed a “match rating”.
- the match rating represents a modified color difference.
- the software calculates the color difference of the undamaged portion of the vehicle to the color data of the many stored paint formulations in the database.
- the match rating may be multiplied by a factor of 10, so that it may be more easily interpreted by the repair personnel (for example, so that the number is an integer value rather than a decimal).
- the match rating may be calculated by various means using published color difference equations such as CIELAB DE or CMC DE.
- the color difference may be a simple average over a multiplicity of viewing angles or a weighted average over a multiplicity of viewing angles.
- the match rating may be further modified by calculating the difference in flop index using published equations.
- the match rating is used by the repair personnel to provide a confidence level of the best match offered by the software.
- the identified refinish paint formulation may be applied to the vehicle according to the match rating for the formulation.
- match ratings of a value less than 8 may be regarded as an excellent or “panel” match, e.g. a sufficiently good match that a panel may be repainted without blending.
- Match ratings greater than 8 but less than 15 may be regarded as a “blendable” match that may require blending of the paint from the panel being refinished to adjacent portions of the vehicle.
- These numeric values are not meant to be limiting, and other confidence levels for the best match may be required when the vehicle paint has a solid color or a metallic/pearlescent color effect.
- the refinish formulation with the lowest match rating is considered the best match, but this is a function of the calculation of match rating.
- the calculation of match rating could also be performed so that the highest values are considered the best match.
- the match ratings may be displayed numerically or via a visual indicator or both.
- visual indicators may include a color or a symbol or both.
- the colors may be recognizable traffic colors, e.g. green for an excellent match, amber for a blendable match and red for a match that may require some tinting of the identified formulation.
- Suitable symbols include a traffic light (indicating an excellent match), a yield symbol (indicating a blendable match), and a cautionary symbol such as in the form of a stop sign to indicate that some additional tinting may be needed.
- An output device in communication with the computer presents the best matched refinish paint formulation and match rating to the user, such as on a computer screen or printout or the like. More than one best matched refinish paint formulation may be presented on the output device. Each such best matched refinish paint formulation is presented with its corresponding match rating.
- the best matched refinish paint formulations may be presented as a listing, such as in a table of information indicating a formulation identifier, brand code, paint system and the like. The user selects a refinish formulation based on its match rating. While typically the user selects the refinish formulation having the lowest (best) match rating, the user may opt to select a refinish formulation with a higher match rating.
- the output may include further details of the selected refinish paint formulation, such as in a listing of the components and amounts or relative amounts.
- the output may include a color chip of the selected refinish paint formulation as well as a color chip corresponding to the color of the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
- color chip it is meant an on-screen display of the color of a refinish formulation, typically as a portion of the screen area.
- the color chip of the vehicle and the color chip of the selected refinish paint formulation may be viewed side by side as an indication or confirmation of the accuracy of the match.
- the identified formulation is mixed and applied to a test portion of the vehicle in step 20 . If the applied formulation is acceptable, the remaining portion of the repair of the vehicle proceeds as planned and the vehicle is painted with the formulation upon completion of the body work repair and the repair of the mechanical/electrical systems.
- FIGS. 2A-2C represent computer screen shots from an example of using the method of the present invention in conducting a chromatic search. Since spectrophotometers used in color matching can typically hold a plurality of readings from a plurality of vehicles, FIG. 2A shows a plurality of spectrophotometer readings of color data, with the highlighted data being selected by the user. In a chromatic search, the user requests a match to be conducted based on the color data (i.e. by clicking on the “Formulate” button), resulting in a screen as shown in FIG. 2B , which provides match ratings (“MR”) for ten possible formulations.
- MR match ratings
- the formulation with the lowest match rating 13 is selected (as indicated by the highlighted portion) and the screen includes a color chip of the vehicle color data (“Target Car Color”) and a color chip of the selected formulation (“Found Match Color”).
- Tiget Car Color a color chip of the selected formulation
- Color Match Color a color chip of the selected formulation
- FIGS. 3A-3E represent computer screen shots from an example of using the method of the present invention in conducting a variant search.
- FIG. 3A represents a screen shot of data relating to the color code (i.e. “8K4”) entered by the user.
- Drop down menus are included, as shown in FIG. 3A for example, to include optional additional search criteria of model, manufacturer, color family, year of manufacture, vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, or particle size.
- the “Search” button the user is presented with a screen as shown in FIG. 3B , and the type of vehicle and paint color effect are selected (i.e. “Toyota” and “Metallic/Mica”) from drop down menus.
- the user clicks on the “OK” button the user is presented with a screen and window indicating the match ratings (“MR”) of a plurality of variants (i.e. “VI/V, Prime, VI”) as shown in FIG. 3C .
- the user may be presented with a screen as in FIG. 3D showing that the formulation with the lowest match rating (e.g. 10) is selected along with a color chip of the vehicle color data (“Target Car Colour”) and a color chip of the selected formulation (“Found Match Colour”).
Abstract
A computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of estimating the cost of performing repairs to a damaged vehicle and determining a refinish paint formulation for refinishing a vehicle by conducting a computer-based search for a refinish paint formulation that best matches the vehicle's original finish prior to performing the repair work on the vehicle, where the repair work comprises performing any body work, mechanical systems work and/or electrical systems work and refinishing the vehicle.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/112,556 filed Apr. 30, 2008 entitled “Color Formulation Selection Process”, incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention relates to a method and system for determining a color formulation for refinishing a vehicle.
- When a vehicle is designed, the vehicle paint has an original formulation that is specified for production, referred to as the prime formulation for that paint. However, the color of paint applied to vehicles in a manufacturing setting tends to vary. The variability can be observed both within a single production facility when the components of the paint composition change slightly between production runs. This is typically seen as a drift in paint color of vehicles manufactured at a particular production facility. In addition, even more significant differences in the paint color can be observed between vehicles manufactured at different production facilities of the same vehicle manufacturer. Each of the production facilities may receive a different lot for the paint components, including the pigments and other colorants that are added to the paint, thereby imparting differences in the paint color between production facilities.
- When a vehicle undergoes repair, a repair paint is applied to the vehicle, which should match the original paint. However, due to color shifts in the original paint applied to vehicles during manufacturing, it is difficult to match the repair paint to the original paint. Differences between the original vehicle paint and a repair paint on the vehicle can be perceived. The color variations of paint produced by original equipment manufacturers are difficult to color match in the multitude of auto body repair shops that repaint vehicles.
- Vehicles typically include a series of identification tags, including a color code that refers to the original paint formulation. Due to the paint color variation, each color code generally corresponds to a plurality of variant formulations that are associated with the prime formulation. Repair paint personnel must select the paint formulation from the plurality of formulations associated with a single color code that best matches the paint of the vehicle undergoing repair.
- When a vehicle enters an auto body repair facility, an estimate for conducting the repair is prepared. The repair work includes body work on painted components (e.g., panels or bumpers) and often also involves repair of the vehicle's mechanical systems and electrical systems. The final step in a repair process is refinishing the exterior damaged portion of the vehicle. The paint repair involves obtaining a paint formulation that closely matches the color and color effect of the original vehicle paint. The process of determining the matching paint formulation does not occur until near the time that the vehicle is ready for refinishing, i.e., after the body work (and any mechanical/electrical systems work) is completed. By that time, the vehicle may already have been at the repair facility for several days or longer. Repair personnel are then tasked with rapidly identifying a closely matching refinish paint formulation. Any delays in attempting to identify a satisfactory paint formulation are often a source of delay in returning the vehicle to its owner. In addition, delays associated with refinish paint color matching at the end of the repair process are costly to the repair facility in terms of productivity (throughput) and associated expenses (such as insurance).
- The present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising: (1) prior to beginning repair work on a vehicle: (a) estimating the cost of performing repairs to a damaged vehicle; and (b) conducting a computer-based search to identify a refinish paint formulation that best matches the vehicle original finish; and (2) performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the best matched refinish paint formulation identified in step (1).
- The present invention also includes a computer-implemented method of identifying a refinish repair formulation comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer and searching for a refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; and identifying the best match refinish formulation and a match rating for the identified formulation.
- The present invention further includes a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer and searching for a refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; identifying the best match refinish formulation and a match rating for the identified formulation; and performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the identified formulation, wherein the vehicle is refinished according to the match rating for identified formulation.
- The present invention further includes a computer-implemented method of identifying a refinish repair formulation comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer; searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation; selecting the best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating; and displaying a color chip of the selected formulation.
- Also included is a computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data; entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer; searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data; providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation; selecting a best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating; displaying a color chip of the selected formulation; and performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the selected formulation, wherein the vehicle is refinished according to the match rating for the selected formulation.
-
FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention; -
FIGS. 2A-2C are screen shots presented to the user of the present invention conducting a chromatic search; and -
FIGS. 3A-3E are screen shots presented to the user of the present invention conducting a variant search. - The present invention is described in relation to a method for selecting a color formulation during refinishing of a vehicle undergoing auto body repair. Referring to the flow chart appearing in
FIG. 1 , when a vehicle arrives at an auto body repair shop, an estimate of the cost and timing for repairing the vehicle is prepared atstep 10. The cost estimate is prepared in order to provide an understanding of the scope of the work to be completed so that the vehicle owner can decide what work should be completed or so that an insurance company may be informed as to the cost that will be incurred during the repair process, or a combination of both. A highly accurate estimate results in a greater accuracy of the final cost to the vehicle owner and/or insurance company, both of which lead to satisfaction with the performance of the repair conducted by the auto body repair facility. Once the repair estimate has been accepted (by the vehicle owner and/or insurance company), the vehicle is processed through the repair facility. In the method of the present invention, after preparation of the repair estimate (step 10), a refinish paint formulation for refinishing the damaged body work of the vehicle undergoing repair is selected. It has been found that by performing the refinish formulation selection process well in advance of the actual physical repair of the vehicle, bottlenecks associated with color matching that normally are presented at the end of the repair process can be avoided or at least worked out during the time that the body work and any mechanical/electrical systems work is conducted. By identifying an appropriate refinish paint formulation early in the auto body repair process, when the vehicle is ready for refinishing, the refinish paint formulation may be ready for mixing and application. Moreover, the search for a best match refinish paint formulation may be conducted using some or all of the computer systems employed to generate the repair estimate. - In one embodiment of the invention, color data from a surface of an undamaged portion of a vehicle is obtained in
step 12. This may be performed using a spectrophotometer that provides a measurement of the color characteristics of a painted surface in the form of reflectance data corresponding to the amount of light reflected from the painted surface at certain viewing angles and/or illumination angles. The viewing angles of color data measurement may all be in a single plane (in-plane) or they may be out-of-plane with respect to each other. Suitable spectrophotometers are manufactured by X-Rite America, Incorporated of Grand Rapids, Mich., such as the X-Rite MA48 for viewing at in-plane angles and the X-Rite MA98 for viewing at out-of-plane angles. Likewise, light illuminating the painted surface may be directed at the painted surface at one angle or more than one angle, with the multiple angles of illumination being in-plane or out-of-plane. The present invention includes obtaining color data from the surface of the undamaged portion of a vehicle in any combination of such illumination angles and measurement angles. - One common system for analyzing color of an object is to define the reflectance data in a color space, such as the CIE 1976 (L*c*h*) color space that is based on tristimulas values of color using the three primary colors (red, green, blue). The L*c*h* values represent brightness chroma and hue, respectively. In one embodiment, the L*c*h* color data may be obtained from an undamaged portion of the vehicle at a plurality of viewing angles, such as five viewing angles in order to obtain an accurate color reading for the vehicle to be refinished. Such viewing angles may include the aspecular angles of 15°, 25°, 45°, 75° and 105° (or 110°). These aspecular angles are not meant to be limiting as different angles and/or other quantities of viewing angles may be employed.
- The measured color data obtained via the spectrophotometer from the undamaged portion of the vehicle are transferred to a computer. Suitable systems for transferring the measured color data from a spectrophotometer to a computer include wireless communication, memory sticks or the like or data transfer to a remote server via the Internet. In one embodiment, the transfer may be conducted by docking the spectrophotometer into a receiver that is hardwired to a computer. In addition, by “computer” is meant any microprocessor based device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, computer network, a remote server or a handheld device, such as a cellular device or personal data assistant (PDA).
- In
step 14, the manufacturer's name and the color code for the paint applied to the vehicle are obtained and entered into the computer. The color code is typically provided on the vehicle, such as on the door jam or the like, in an alphanumeric format. The color code is input via an input device such as a keyboard or a wireless transfer device. - The computer includes software for conducting a match of the color data and color code (or of the color data alone) to refinish paint formulations maintained in a database of the computer, as described below. The database includes prime and variant formulations of refinish paint formulations that are associated with vehicle manufacturer color codes and color data. The database may include custom formulations associated with color data. Custom formulations are occasionally developed by refinish paint professionals when none of the pre-existing prime and variant formulations provide a suitable match with the paint of a vehicle undergoing repair. In one embodiment of the invention, a refinish paint professional obtains color data for the custom formulations, such as by using a spectrophotometer to measure reflectance data from a surface painted with the custom formulations. The database containing custom formulations associated with the color data of the vehicle paint may be the same as or different from the above-described database of prime and variant formulations and also may be stored in a variety of computer systems, such as on a local computer in the auto body repair shop or may be accessible via remote server or the like as described above.
- Other criteria that may be associated with the refinish paint formulations in the database include manufacturer (e.g. Honda), model (e.g. Accord), territory (e.g. U.S. or Europe) year of manufacture, vehicle part (e.g. fender, door panel), vehicle identification number (VIN), specific effect pigment (e.g. green pearl, green Xirallic™ or Paliocrom™ orange), particle size (e.g. very fine, fine or medium), color family (e.g. red, green, beige), flop index range, finish effect (e.g. solid, metallic, mica or combinations thereof).
- In
step 16, a variant search is conducted for the best match for the paint formulation based on both the color data obtained instep 12 and the color code obtained instep 14. The variant search may be further refined by including one or more search criteria such as model, territory, vehicle part, year of manufacture, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size. When variant searching based on the color data and color code, the software in the computer limits the search to the prime formulation and variants thereof that are specifically associated with that color code. This increases the probability of special effect pigments (such as metallic and pearlescent effect pigments) of the identified paint formulation matching the size and type of the special effect pigments of the original vehicle paint. By “best match” or related phrases, it is meant that the identified refinish paint formulation, when applied to the vehicle, appears the same as (or cannot be discerned with the eye as differing from) the adjacent undamaged portion of the vehicle. - In the event that the color code is not available for the vehicle or is otherwise not used, step 14 may be omitted (as per
route 14 a) and a chromatic search is conducted based solely on the color data obtained from the vehicle. In a chromatic search, the software searches the entire database of color data without specific regard to the special effect pigments. However, the chromatic search may be further refined by including one or more search criteria such as manufacturer, model, territory, year of manufacture, color family, flop index range, finish effect vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, and particle size. As with a variant search, use of additional criteria increases the probability of special effect pigments (such as metallic and pearlescent effect pigments) of the identified paint formulation matching the size and type of the special effect pigments of the original vehicle paint. - The output of the search on the computer is the most likely prime or variant formulation or a plurality of formulations that best match the color data for the color code (a variant search via step 14) or best match the color data regardless of color code (a chromatic search via
route 14 a). References to a matched refinish paint formulation or identified refinish paint formulation should be understood to include one or more of such formulations unless indicated to the contrary. The computer software contains algorithms for (1) searching one or more databases of refinish paint formulations associated with color data or color data with color codes instep 16 and (2) identifying the best matched refinish paint formulation instep 18. The best match is presented to the user (e.g. repair personnel) using a numeric value termed a “match rating”. The match rating represents a modified color difference. The software calculates the color difference of the undamaged portion of the vehicle to the color data of the many stored paint formulations in the database. The match rating may be multiplied by a factor of 10, so that it may be more easily interpreted by the repair personnel (for example, so that the number is an integer value rather than a decimal). The match rating may be calculated by various means using published color difference equations such as CIELAB DE or CMC DE. The color difference may be a simple average over a multiplicity of viewing angles or a weighted average over a multiplicity of viewing angles. The match rating may be further modified by calculating the difference in flop index using published equations. The match rating is used by the repair personnel to provide a confidence level of the best match offered by the software. In this manner, the identified refinish paint formulation may be applied to the vehicle according to the match rating for the formulation. For example, match ratings of a value less than 8 may be regarded as an excellent or “panel” match, e.g. a sufficiently good match that a panel may be repainted without blending. Match ratings greater than 8 but less than 15 may be regarded as a “blendable” match that may require blending of the paint from the panel being refinished to adjacent portions of the vehicle. These numeric values are not meant to be limiting, and other confidence levels for the best match may be required when the vehicle paint has a solid color or a metallic/pearlescent color effect. The refinish formulation with the lowest match rating is considered the best match, but this is a function of the calculation of match rating. The calculation of match rating could also be performed so that the highest values are considered the best match. The match ratings may be displayed numerically or via a visual indicator or both. By way of example, visual indicators may include a color or a symbol or both. The colors may be recognizable traffic colors, e.g. green for an excellent match, amber for a blendable match and red for a match that may require some tinting of the identified formulation. Suitable symbols include a traffic light (indicating an excellent match), a yield symbol (indicating a blendable match), and a cautionary symbol such as in the form of a stop sign to indicate that some additional tinting may be needed. - An output device in communication with the computer presents the best matched refinish paint formulation and match rating to the user, such as on a computer screen or printout or the like. More than one best matched refinish paint formulation may be presented on the output device. Each such best matched refinish paint formulation is presented with its corresponding match rating. The best matched refinish paint formulations may be presented as a listing, such as in a table of information indicating a formulation identifier, brand code, paint system and the like. The user selects a refinish formulation based on its match rating. While typically the user selects the refinish formulation having the lowest (best) match rating, the user may opt to select a refinish formulation with a higher match rating.
- The output may include further details of the selected refinish paint formulation, such as in a listing of the components and amounts or relative amounts. Optionally, as shown in
step 18 a inFIG. 1 , the output may include a color chip of the selected refinish paint formulation as well as a color chip corresponding to the color of the undamaged portion of the vehicle. By color chip it is meant an on-screen display of the color of a refinish formulation, typically as a portion of the screen area. The color chip of the vehicle and the color chip of the selected refinish paint formulation may be viewed side by side as an indication or confirmation of the accuracy of the match. The identified formulation is mixed and applied to a test portion of the vehicle instep 20. If the applied formulation is acceptable, the remaining portion of the repair of the vehicle proceeds as planned and the vehicle is painted with the formulation upon completion of the body work repair and the repair of the mechanical/electrical systems. -
FIGS. 2A-2C represent computer screen shots from an example of using the method of the present invention in conducting a chromatic search. Since spectrophotometers used in color matching can typically hold a plurality of readings from a plurality of vehicles,FIG. 2A shows a plurality of spectrophotometer readings of color data, with the highlighted data being selected by the user. In a chromatic search, the user requests a match to be conducted based on the color data (i.e. by clicking on the “Formulate” button), resulting in a screen as shown inFIG. 2B , which provides match ratings (“MR”) for ten possible formulations. The formulation with thelowest match rating 13 is selected (as indicated by the highlighted portion) and the screen includes a color chip of the vehicle color data (“Target Car Color”) and a color chip of the selected formulation (“Found Match Color”). By clicking on the “Continue” button, the user is presented with a screen as shown inFIG. 2C with detailed information on the formulation, including a listing of components and other properties of the formulation. -
FIGS. 3A-3E (along withFIG. 2B ), represent computer screen shots from an example of using the method of the present invention in conducting a variant search.FIG. 3A represents a screen shot of data relating to the color code (i.e. “8K4”) entered by the user. Drop down menus are included, as shown inFIG. 3A for example, to include optional additional search criteria of model, manufacturer, color family, year of manufacture, vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, or particle size. Upon clicking the “Search” button, the user is presented with a screen as shown inFIG. 3B , and the type of vehicle and paint color effect are selected (i.e. “Toyota” and “Metallic/Mica”) from drop down menus. The user clicks the “Continue” button and is presented with a screen as inFIG. 2A and selects the color data as shown. When clicking on the “OK” button, the user is presented with a screen and window indicating the match ratings (“MR”) of a plurality of variants (i.e. “VI/V, Prime, VI”) as shown inFIG. 3C . When clicking on the “OK” button, the user may be presented with a screen as inFIG. 3D showing that the formulation with the lowest match rating (e.g. 10) is selected along with a color chip of the vehicle color data (“Target Car Colour”) and a color chip of the selected formulation (“Found Match Colour”). As with the chromatic search, the user then clicks the “Accept” button and is presented with a screen as shown inFIG. 3E with detailed information of the formulation, including a listing of components and other properties of the formulation. - The examples of using the methods of the present invention described in reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples, which are intended to be illustrative only, since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. - It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the forgoing description. Such modifications are to be considered as included within the following claims unless the claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A computer-implemented method of identifying a refinish repair formulation comprising:
providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data;
entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer;
searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data;
providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation;
selecting the best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating; and
displaying a color chip of the selected formulation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database further comprises refinish paint formulations associated with additional criteria comprising manufacturer, model, territory, year of manufacture, color family, flop index range, finish effect, vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, particle size, and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the selected formulation.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database further comprises refinish paint formulations associated with color data and color codes and said method further comprises:
entering the color code for the original paint formulation of the vehicle into the computer and searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data and vehicle color code.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle color data comprises reflectance data obtained from a surface of a portion of the vehicle.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the reflectance data is obtained using a portable spectrophotometer.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the reflectance data is obtained at a plurality of viewing angles.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the reflectance data is obtained at five viewing angles.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the reflectance data is obtained from illumination of the surface of the vehicle at a plurality of angles.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database comprises custom formulations associated with color data obtained from samples of the custom formulations.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the match rating is numeric or visually indicated or both.
12. A computer-implemented method of repairing a vehicle comprising:
providing a computer having a database comprising refinish paint formulations associated with color data;
entering color data for a vehicle to be repaired into the computer;
searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database that best matches the vehicle color data;
providing a match rating for the at least one refinish formulation;
selecting a best match refinish formulation having a desired match rating;
displaying a color chip of the selected formulation; and
performing repair work on the vehicle, the repair work comprising refinishing the vehicle with the selected formulation, wherein the vehicle is refinished according to the match rating for the selected formulation.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the database further comprises refinish paint formulations associated with additional criteria comprising manufacturer, model, territory, year of manufacture, color family, flop index range, finish effect, vehicle part, VIN, special effect pigment, particle size, and combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising displaying the selected formulation.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the database further comprises refinish paint formulations associated with color data and color codes and said method further comprises:
entering a color code for the original paint formulation of the vehicle into the computer and searching for at least one refinish formulation in the database of the computer that best matches the vehicle color data and vehicle color code.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle color data comprises reflectance data obtained from a surface of the vehicle.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the match rating is a panel match, and the vehicle is refinished without blending.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the match rating is a blend match, and the vehicle is refinished with blending.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the database comprises custom formulations associated with color data obtained from samples of the custom formulations.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the match rating is numeric or visually indicated or both.
Priority Applications (16)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/262,723 US20090274827A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-10-31 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
AU2009308956A AU2009308956B2 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
BRPI0914527-3A BRPI0914527B1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | computer-implemented method for identifying a refinish repair formulation |
NZ592646A NZ592646A (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
EP09752944.0A EP2350809A4 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
MX2011004519A MX2011004519A (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display. |
CN2009801499955A CN102549545A (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
KR1020117012486A KR101290718B1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
MYPI2011001888A MY159170A (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
CA2742274A CA2742274C (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
JP2011534694A JP5588449B2 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Toning selection process using visual display |
PCT/US2009/062291 WO2010051294A2 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-28 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
TW098136715A TWI588671B (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-29 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
ARP090104208A AR074022A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2009-10-30 | COLOR FORMULATION SELECTION PROCESS WITH DISPLAY DISPLAY |
CL2011000956A CL2011000956A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2011-04-29 | A method implemented by computer to identify a formulation of a color on a display screen |
JP2013059452A JP2013152738A (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2013-03-22 | Color matching selection process using visual display |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/112,556 US20090276254A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-04-30 | Color formulation selection process |
US12/262,723 US20090274827A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-10-31 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/112,556 Continuation-In-Part US20090276254A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-04-30 | Color formulation selection process |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090274827A1 true US20090274827A1 (en) | 2009-11-05 |
Family
ID=42129533
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/262,723 Abandoned US20090274827A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-10-31 | Color formulation selection process with visual display |
Country Status (14)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090274827A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2350809A4 (en) |
JP (2) | JP5588449B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101290718B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102549545A (en) |
AR (1) | AR074022A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009308956B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0914527B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2742274C (en) |
MX (1) | MX2011004519A (en) |
MY (1) | MY159170A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ592646A (en) |
TW (1) | TWI588671B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010051294A2 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110137572A1 (en) * | 2009-12-09 | 2011-06-09 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Methods for Utilizing Paint Formulations Based on Paint Component Risk Scores |
WO2014047296A1 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2014-03-27 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Multi-angular color, opacity, pigment characterization and texture analysis of a painted surface via visual and/or instrumental techniques |
US20160019208A1 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2016-01-21 | Akzo Nobel Coatings International B.V. | Process for matching paint |
EP2363783A3 (en) * | 2010-03-03 | 2016-08-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for providing function of portable terminal using color sensor |
US20170242570A1 (en) * | 2016-02-19 | 2017-08-24 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection |
US9818205B2 (en) | 2016-02-19 | 2017-11-14 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Simplified texture comparison engine |
US10317335B2 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2019-06-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reflective tag and polarized light sensor for transmitting information |
US11030670B2 (en) | 2015-05-22 | 2021-06-08 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Analyzing user behavior at kiosks to identify recommended products |
US11238511B2 (en) | 2015-05-22 | 2022-02-01 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Home Décor color matching |
WO2023225446A1 (en) * | 2022-05-18 | 2023-11-23 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Techniques for indexing custom-made coatings within a database |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11246395B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2022-02-15 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | Color conversion system and method |
US11235298B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2022-02-01 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | Blending station apparatus and method for using the same |
US9149108B2 (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2015-10-06 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | System and method for batch sizing hair dye mixtures |
US8567455B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2013-10-29 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | Blending station apparatus and method for using the same |
US9414665B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2016-08-16 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | Blending color and control management system |
EP2795273A1 (en) | 2011-12-21 | 2014-10-29 | Akzo Nobel Coatings International B.V. | Colour variant selection method using a mobile device |
CN102879102A (en) * | 2012-10-24 | 2013-01-16 | 太仓绚彩色卡制作有限公司 | Automotive refinishing paint color card and manufacture method thereof |
US10586162B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2020-03-10 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Systems and methods for determining a coating formulation |
US10147043B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-12-04 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Systems and methods for texture assessment of a coating formulation |
NZ631047A (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2015-10-30 | Ppg Ind Ohio Inc | Texture analysis of a coated surface using kepler’s planetary motion laws |
NZ631068A (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2015-10-30 | Ppg Ind Ohio Inc | Texture analysis of a coated surface using electrostatics calculations |
NZ631063A (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2015-10-30 | Ppg Ind Ohio Inc | Texture analysis of a coated surface using cross-normalization |
TWI626394B (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2018-06-11 | 財團法人工業技術研究院 | Illumination system |
US9992842B2 (en) | 2014-12-01 | 2018-06-05 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Illumination system and method for developing target visual perception of an object |
US9674920B2 (en) | 2014-12-01 | 2017-06-06 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Illumination system and method for developing target visual perception of an object |
CN106040565B (en) * | 2015-04-15 | 2020-03-13 | 关西涂料株式会社 | Method for selecting coating material for forming substrate and method for repairing coating material |
CN108572857B (en) * | 2017-03-10 | 2022-03-01 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | Method and device for providing color attribute information of data object and electronic equipment |
US10970879B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2021-04-06 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Formulation systems and methods employing target coating data results |
US11874220B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2024-01-16 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Formulation systems and methods employing target coating data results |
US10871888B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2020-12-22 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Systems, methods, and interfaces for rapid coating generation |
US11119035B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2021-09-14 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Systems and methods for rapid coating composition determinations |
US10897979B1 (en) | 2019-09-12 | 2021-01-26 | SureTint Technologies, LLC | System and method for hair dye color conversion |
DE102020209435A1 (en) | 2020-07-27 | 2022-01-27 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Process for the computer-implemented generation of a color scheme for a product |
JP7168744B1 (en) | 2021-09-06 | 2022-11-09 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Information processing device, information processing method, and program |
Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4692481A (en) * | 1984-09-27 | 1987-09-08 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Process for matching color of paint to a colored surface |
US5153825A (en) * | 1987-11-18 | 1992-10-06 | Yada Systes, Inc. | Paint formula retrieval and management system and method |
US5668633A (en) * | 1995-10-03 | 1997-09-16 | General Electric Company | Method and system for formulating a color match |
US20020184168A1 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2002-12-05 | Mcclanahan Craig J. | System and method for determining acceptability of proposed color solution using an artificial intelligence based tolerance model |
US6522977B2 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2003-02-18 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Computer-implemented method and apparatus for matching paint |
US20030055737A1 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2003-03-20 | Pope Nicholas Henry | Validation system |
US6714924B1 (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2004-03-30 | Basf Corporation | Computer-implemented neural network color matching formulation system |
US6717584B2 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2004-04-06 | General Motors Corporation | Method and system for visualizing paint on a computer-generated object |
US20040078299A1 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2004-04-22 | Kathleen Down-Logan | Portable color and style analysis, match and management system |
US20040092637A1 (en) * | 2002-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | Basf Corporation | Electronic display of automotive colors |
US20040093112A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2004-05-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Color selection method |
US6750970B2 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-06-15 | Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. | Method for quickly retrieving approximate color of metallic paint color |
US6804390B2 (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2004-10-12 | Basf Corporation | Computer-implemented neural network color matching formulation applications |
US6892194B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2005-05-10 | Basf Corporation | System and method for organizing color values using an artificial intelligence based cluster model |
US6973211B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2005-12-06 | Basf Corporation | Color management and solution distribution system and method |
US6993512B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2006-01-31 | Basf Corporation | System and method for converting a color formula using an artificial intelligence based conversion model |
US6999615B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2006-02-14 | Basf Corporation | Color management and solution distribution system and method |
US20060181707A1 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2006-08-17 | Gibson Mark A | Method of producing matched coating composition and device used therefor |
US20060183458A1 (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-08-17 | Sena Keith A | Color matching process for field repair of vehicle coatings |
US7145656B2 (en) * | 2003-12-15 | 2006-12-05 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Computer-implemented method for matching paint |
US20070003691A1 (en) * | 2005-05-05 | 2007-01-04 | Rodrigues Allan B J | Color clustering technique for matching refinish paints |
US20070032965A1 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2007-02-08 | Basf Corporation | System and method for determining a paint formula with a portable device |
US20070035554A1 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2007-02-15 | Basf Corporation | Method of visualizing a color deviation |
US20070097119A1 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Steenhoek Larry E | Realistic video color display |
US20080235224A1 (en) * | 2000-03-28 | 2008-09-25 | Allan Blase Joseph Rodrigues | Digital display of color and appearance and the use thereof |
US20080291449A1 (en) * | 2007-03-29 | 2008-11-27 | Allan Blase Joseph Rodrigues | System for color match and digital color display |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH1159099A (en) * | 1997-08-11 | 1999-03-02 | Tsubasa Syst Kk | Paint selecting apparatus |
EP1355242A1 (en) * | 2000-03-28 | 2003-10-22 | E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company | Color matching method for automotive refinishing |
JP2002042105A (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-02-08 | Kurabo Ind Ltd | Computer color matching method |
ES2331196T3 (en) * | 2004-09-17 | 2009-12-23 | Akzo Nobel Coatings International Bv | METHOD TO EQUAL A PAINT. |
EP1815219A2 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2007-08-08 | E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company | Computer-implemented color adjustment method and program using stored color values |
JP4916319B2 (en) * | 2006-01-23 | 2012-04-11 | 関西ペイント株式会社 | Multilayer pattern coating film forming method |
JP2007314772A (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2007-12-06 | Kansai Paint Co Ltd | Paint compounding information acquisition method of toning paint for obtaining desired color, and compounding information acquisition system |
JP2007327017A (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-20 | Kansai Paint Co Ltd | Paint production management method and non-contact ic tag for paint production management |
WO2007149299A1 (en) * | 2006-06-16 | 2007-12-27 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Color chips prepared by color clustering used for matching refinish paints |
JP5796924B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2015-10-21 | 関西ペイント株式会社 | Method and program for determining the composition of a paint for forming a multi-colored pattern that harmonizes with the surrounding colors |
-
2008
- 2008-10-31 US US12/262,723 patent/US20090274827A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-10-28 KR KR1020117012486A patent/KR101290718B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-10-28 CA CA2742274A patent/CA2742274C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-10-28 JP JP2011534694A patent/JP5588449B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-10-28 MX MX2011004519A patent/MX2011004519A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-10-28 AU AU2009308956A patent/AU2009308956B2/en active Active
- 2009-10-28 CN CN2009801499955A patent/CN102549545A/en active Pending
- 2009-10-28 BR BRPI0914527-3A patent/BRPI0914527B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-10-28 EP EP09752944.0A patent/EP2350809A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-10-28 MY MYPI2011001888A patent/MY159170A/en unknown
- 2009-10-28 WO PCT/US2009/062291 patent/WO2010051294A2/en active Application Filing
- 2009-10-28 NZ NZ592646A patent/NZ592646A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-10-29 TW TW098136715A patent/TWI588671B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-10-30 AR ARP090104208A patent/AR074022A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2013
- 2013-03-22 JP JP2013059452A patent/JP2013152738A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4692481A (en) * | 1984-09-27 | 1987-09-08 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Process for matching color of paint to a colored surface |
US5153825A (en) * | 1987-11-18 | 1992-10-06 | Yada Systes, Inc. | Paint formula retrieval and management system and method |
US5668633A (en) * | 1995-10-03 | 1997-09-16 | General Electric Company | Method and system for formulating a color match |
US6522977B2 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2003-02-18 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Computer-implemented method and apparatus for matching paint |
US20080235224A1 (en) * | 2000-03-28 | 2008-09-25 | Allan Blase Joseph Rodrigues | Digital display of color and appearance and the use thereof |
US6804390B2 (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2004-10-12 | Basf Corporation | Computer-implemented neural network color matching formulation applications |
US6714924B1 (en) * | 2001-02-07 | 2004-03-30 | Basf Corporation | Computer-implemented neural network color matching formulation system |
US6750970B2 (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-06-15 | Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. | Method for quickly retrieving approximate color of metallic paint color |
US6993512B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2006-01-31 | Basf Corporation | System and method for converting a color formula using an artificial intelligence based conversion model |
US6999615B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2006-02-14 | Basf Corporation | Color management and solution distribution system and method |
US20020184168A1 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2002-12-05 | Mcclanahan Craig J. | System and method for determining acceptability of proposed color solution using an artificial intelligence based tolerance model |
US6973211B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2005-12-06 | Basf Corporation | Color management and solution distribution system and method |
US20030055737A1 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2003-03-20 | Pope Nicholas Henry | Validation system |
US6892194B2 (en) * | 2001-06-05 | 2005-05-10 | Basf Corporation | System and method for organizing color values using an artificial intelligence based cluster model |
US6717584B2 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2004-04-06 | General Motors Corporation | Method and system for visualizing paint on a computer-generated object |
US20040078299A1 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2004-04-22 | Kathleen Down-Logan | Portable color and style analysis, match and management system |
US6914613B2 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2005-07-05 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Color selection method |
US20040093112A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2004-05-13 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Color selection method |
US20040092637A1 (en) * | 2002-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | Basf Corporation | Electronic display of automotive colors |
US20060181707A1 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2006-08-17 | Gibson Mark A | Method of producing matched coating composition and device used therefor |
US7145656B2 (en) * | 2003-12-15 | 2006-12-05 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Computer-implemented method for matching paint |
US20060183458A1 (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-08-17 | Sena Keith A | Color matching process for field repair of vehicle coatings |
US20070003691A1 (en) * | 2005-05-05 | 2007-01-04 | Rodrigues Allan B J | Color clustering technique for matching refinish paints |
US20070032965A1 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2007-02-08 | Basf Corporation | System and method for determining a paint formula with a portable device |
US20070035554A1 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2007-02-15 | Basf Corporation | Method of visualizing a color deviation |
US20070097119A1 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Steenhoek Larry E | Realistic video color display |
US20080291449A1 (en) * | 2007-03-29 | 2008-11-27 | Allan Blase Joseph Rodrigues | System for color match and digital color display |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110137572A1 (en) * | 2009-12-09 | 2011-06-09 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Methods for Utilizing Paint Formulations Based on Paint Component Risk Scores |
US8244481B2 (en) * | 2009-12-09 | 2012-08-14 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Methods for utilizing paint formulations based on paint component risk scores |
EP2363783A3 (en) * | 2010-03-03 | 2016-08-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for providing function of portable terminal using color sensor |
WO2014047296A1 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2014-03-27 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Multi-angular color, opacity, pigment characterization and texture analysis of a painted surface via visual and/or instrumental techniques |
US10178351B2 (en) | 2012-09-19 | 2019-01-08 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Multi-angular color, opacity, pigment characterization and texture analysis of a painted surface via visual and/or instrumental techniques |
AU2013318032B2 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2016-10-13 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Multi-angular color, opacity, pigment characterization and texture analysis of a painted surface via visual and/or instrumental techniques |
KR101747009B1 (en) | 2012-09-19 | 2017-06-13 | 피피지 인더스트리즈 오하이오 인코포레이티드 | Multi-angular color, opacity, pigment characterization and texture analysis of a painted surface via visual and/or instrumental techniques |
US20160019208A1 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2016-01-21 | Akzo Nobel Coatings International B.V. | Process for matching paint |
US10152494B2 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2018-12-11 | Akxo Nobel Coatings International B.V. | Process for matching paint |
US10648904B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2020-05-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reflective tag and polarized light sensor for transmitting information |
US10317335B2 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2019-06-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reflective tag and polarized light sensor for transmitting information |
US11238511B2 (en) | 2015-05-22 | 2022-02-01 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Home Décor color matching |
US11030670B2 (en) | 2015-05-22 | 2021-06-08 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Analyzing user behavior at kiosks to identify recommended products |
US9818205B2 (en) | 2016-02-19 | 2017-11-14 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Simplified texture comparison engine |
US10969952B2 (en) | 2016-02-19 | 2021-04-06 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection |
US10613727B2 (en) * | 2016-02-19 | 2020-04-07 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection |
US20170242570A1 (en) * | 2016-02-19 | 2017-08-24 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection |
WO2023225446A1 (en) * | 2022-05-18 | 2023-11-23 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Techniques for indexing custom-made coatings within a database |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2742274C (en) | 2014-09-16 |
TWI588671B (en) | 2017-06-21 |
TW201022980A (en) | 2010-06-16 |
BRPI0914527B1 (en) | 2019-11-12 |
CN102549545A (en) | 2012-07-04 |
MY159170A (en) | 2016-12-30 |
BRPI0914527A2 (en) | 2015-12-15 |
EP2350809A4 (en) | 2016-02-17 |
AU2009308956B2 (en) | 2013-02-28 |
NZ592646A (en) | 2013-10-25 |
MX2011004519A (en) | 2011-05-24 |
AU2009308956A1 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
JP2013152738A (en) | 2013-08-08 |
JP2012515950A (en) | 2012-07-12 |
CA2742274A1 (en) | 2011-04-29 |
EP2350809A2 (en) | 2011-08-03 |
KR20110091728A (en) | 2011-08-12 |
KR101290718B1 (en) | 2013-07-29 |
WO2010051294A3 (en) | 2014-12-31 |
WO2010051294A2 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
JP5588449B2 (en) | 2014-09-10 |
AR074022A1 (en) | 2010-12-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2742274C (en) | Color formulation selection process with visual display | |
EP1695293B1 (en) | Computer-implemented method for matching paint | |
US8849027B2 (en) | Web-based color selection system | |
AU2009255330B2 (en) | Computer- implemented method of color matching a paint formulation | |
US20120109660A1 (en) | Integrated process and system for cosmetic vehicle repairs | |
US10969952B2 (en) | Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection | |
US10830644B2 (en) | Method for determination of a matching colour variant | |
MXPA05003484A (en) | Electronic display of automotive colors. | |
US10152494B2 (en) | Process for matching paint | |
JP2001338091A (en) | Color matching method for refinishing automobile | |
US20090276254A1 (en) | Color formulation selection process | |
JP2002351887A (en) | Paint composition retrieval system | |
US8244481B2 (en) | Methods for utilizing paint formulations based on paint component risk scores | |
WO2023023427A1 (en) | Automated fmea system for customer service |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC., OHIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ANDERSON, GEOFFREY BRUCE;WHITBY, JON DAVID;HENRY, MICHAEL J.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:021909/0916;SIGNING DATES FROM 20081104 TO 20081106 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |